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Shiel Accountants

How much does an accountant cost for a small business?

A fixed monthly fee for a small business typically covers bookkeeping, year-end accounts, tax returns and filings. At Shiel, plans start at €79 a month in Ireland, £49 in the UK and £69 in Gibraltar for a company that is not yet trading, with trading plans priced by business type, transaction volume and payroll size.

Written by Thomas Langford, reviewed by Elena Rossi
Updated · 4 minute read

Starting prices by business type

Business typeIrelandUnited KingdomGibraltar
Limited company (dormant or pre-trade)€79£49£69
Sole trader€99£59£79
Contractor company€129£99£119
Online seller€179£149£169

These are monthly starting points. Ireland and the UK exclude VAT where it applies, and Gibraltar excludes government filing fees.

What changes the price

  • How many bank transactions, invoices and payouts there are each month.
  • How many people are on the payroll, directors included.
  • Whether you are registered for VAT, and whether you sell across borders.
  • How many sales channels or payment processors need reconciling.
  • Whether the records are up to date when we start.

What a fixed fee should include

Compare like with like. A low headline price that leaves out the company tax return, the registry filing or the director’s own return will cost more by the end of the year. Ask for the scope in writing, with any limits, before you sign.

  • Bookkeeping from your bank feeds
  • Year-end accounts and the company tax return
  • The annual registry filing
  • The director’s personal return
  • VAT returns where you are registered
  • A named person to ask, with a response time

One-off costs

Switching to us is free. New businesses can add a one-off setup, for example €149 for a new Irish sole trader or £149 for a new UK contractor company, and records that have fallen behind are quoted before any catch-up work starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an accountant cost a month for a small company?

Limited company plans start at €79 a month in Ireland, £49 in the UK and £69 in Gibraltar for a company that is not yet trading. Trading plans then rise with transactions and payroll.

Is a fixed fee better than paying by the hour?

For routine work, usually. You know the cost in advance and can ask questions without worrying about the meter running. One-off projects are quoted separately.

Is there a charge to switch accountant?

Not with us. We handle the handover from your previous accountant at no charge.

This guide is general information, not advice for your situation. Rules change, so check the official sources or talk to us before acting on it.

Get in Touch

Send us a short message about your business and any deadline you are working towards. Your named accountant will reply within one business day, and the fee is agreed before anything starts.